Impact of Emergency Department Probiotic (LGG) Treatment of Pediatric Gastroenteritis

Impact of Emergency Department Probiotic (LGG) Treatment of Pediatric Gastroenteritis

The investigators will study the efficacy and side effect profile of LGG, a probiotic, in pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis.

Multicenter randomized controlled trial of LGG in patients 3-48 months of age presenting to the Emergency Department with acute gastroenteritis.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 3-48 months (have not yet reached their fourth birthday); AND
2. Presence of 3 or more watery stools within 24 hours of screening; AND
3. Duration of vomiting or diarrhea less than 7 days; AND
4. Symptoms consistent with acute intestinal infectious process.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of an indwelling vascular access line; OR
2. Presence of structural heart disease excluding non-pathological heart murmurs; OR
3. Receiving immunosuppressive therapy or history of immunodeficiency; OR
4. Hematochezia in the preceding 48 hours; OR
5. Chronic gastrointestinal problems (e.g. short gut syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease); OR
6. Patients with known pancreatitis; OR
7. History of abdominal surgery; OR
8. Critically ill patients; OR
9. Family member with an indwelling vascular access line, or on immunosuppressive therapy, or with a known immunodeficiency; OR
10. Bilious emesis; OR
11. Probiotic use (supplement) in the preceding 2 weeks; OR
12. Oral or intravenous steroid use in the preceding six months; OR
13. Previously enrolled in this trial; OR
14. Allergy to lactobacillus or Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC); OR
15. Allergy to erythromycin, clindamycin, AND betalactam antibiotics (all); OR
16. Not available for daily follow-up while symptomatic; OR
17. Parent/guardian not speaking English or Spanish; OR
18. Under 6 months old AND premature (<37 weeks).